This being L.A., it's saturated with megaplexes catering to high-budget, high-profile flicks featuring the usual big-ticket lures such as Hanks, Willis, and Leonardo. But there are times when those polished Hollywood-studio stories just won't do. Below are some nonmainstream options that play movies from bygone eras or those with an indie bent. Consult the L.A. Weekly (www.laweekly.com) to see what's playing when you're in town.

Film festivals are another great way to explore the other side of contemporary movies. Aside from AFI's yearly October fete, the IFP Los Angeles Film Festival (tel. 866-FILMFEST or 310-432-1200; www.lafilmfest.com) looks at what's new in American indies, short films, and music videos during a weeklong event in June (June 17-26, 2004). Each July since 1982, the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (tel. 323/960-2394; www.outfest.com), also known as "Outfest," has aimed to bring high-quality gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender films to a wider public awareness. In 1998, the festival became Los Angeles's largest, with 31,000 audience members.

Promoting moving pictures as this country's great art form, The American Cinematheque in Hollywood (tel. 323/466-3456; www.egyptiantheatre.com) presents not-readily-seen videos and films, ranging from the wildly arty to the old classics. Since relocating to the historic and beautifully refurbished 1923 Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood), American Cinematheque has hosted several film events, including a celebration of contemporary flicks from Spain, a tribute to the femme fatales of film noir, and a retrospective of the films of William Friedkin. Events highlighting a specific individual are usually accompanied by at least one in-theater audience Q&A session with the honoree.

The Leo S. Bing Theater at the L.A. County Museum of Art (5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; tel. 323/857-6010) presents a themed film series each month. Past subjects have ranged from 1930s blonde bombshell films to Cold War propaganda flicks and contemporary British satire (complete with a 3-day Monty Python's Flying Circus marathon).

Laemmle's Sunset 5 (8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; tel. 323/848-3500; www.laemmle.com), despite being a multiplex in a bright outdoor mall, features films that most theaters of its ilk won't even touch. This is the place to come to see interesting independent art films. There's often a selection of gay-themed movies.

The Nuart Theater (11272 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; tel. 310/478-6379) digs deep into its archives for real classics, ranging from campy to cool. They also feature frequent in-person appearances and Q&A sessions from stars and filmmakers, and screen The Rocky Horror Picture Show (yes, still!) every Saturday at midnight.

Fans of silent-movie classics might already know about the renowned Silent Movie Theatre, 611 N. Fairfax Ave. ( 1/2 block south of Melrose), near the Miracle Mile (tel. 323/655-2520 for recorded program information, or 323/655-2510 for main office; www.silentmovietheatre.com). This silent movie shrine for over 60 years was itself silent following the tragic murder, in 1996, of the longtime owner. It reopened in November 1999 to crowds eager to step inside, where Charlie Chaplin's appeal, Clara Bow's sexuality, and Edward G. Robinson's menace are once again bigger than life. Live music accompanies the silents (classic "talkies" are shown Tues nights); the theater is open Tuesday through Sunday, and tickets are $8 ($6 for kids and seniors).

If TV's more your thing, the Museum of Radio and Television (465 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills; tel. 310/786-1000) celebrates this country's long relationship with the tube. The museum often features a movie of the month, and it also shows free selections from past television programs.